When you've got a blocked drain, it's tempting to just call the first number you find — but knowing whether you need a drain cleaner or a plumber can save you time and money. In short, drain cleaners are specialists focused on clearing blockages and maintaining drainage systems, while plumbers are licensed tradespeople who handle a much wider scope of work including pipes, fixtures, and water systems. Sometimes you need one, sometimes the other, and occasionally both.
What Does a Drain Cleaner Do?
A drain cleaner (sometimes called a drain technician or drain unblocking specialist) focuses specifically on diagnosing and clearing blocked or slow-running drains. Their core services typically include:
- Unblocking kitchen, bathroom, and laundry drains
- Clearing blocked toilets and floor wastes
- High-pressure water jetting to remove grease, scale, and debris
- CCTV drain camera inspections to locate blockages or damage
- Root cutting to remove tree roots that have infiltrated pipes
- Drain maintenance programmes for commercial and residential properties
Drain cleaners often carry specialist equipment — like electric eels (drain snakes), high-pressure jetters, and CCTV cameras — that general plumbers may not always have on hand. Because they focus on one area, they can often respond quickly and at a lower call-out cost than a full plumbing firm.
What Does a Plumber Do?
A plumber is a licensed tradesperson who works across a much broader range of water, drainage, and sanitary systems. In New Zealand, certain plumbing work is restricted work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, meaning it must be carried out (or supervised) by a licensed professional registered with the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB).
Plumbers can legally carry out work such as:
- Installing, repairing, or replacing pipes, taps, and fixtures
- Connecting or altering sanitary plumbing and drainage systems
- Installing hot water cylinders and water heating systems
- Drainlaying — laying or repairing underground drain pipes
- Compliance work required under the NZ Building Code (e.g. clauses G12 and G13 covering water supply and foul water)
Some plumbing businesses also offer drain unblocking services, but their hourly rates may be higher than a dedicated drain cleaning specialist.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Drain Cleaner | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Unblocking & drain maintenance | Full plumbing & drainage systems |
| Licensing required | Not always (depends on work scope) | Yes — PGDB licensed for restricted work |
| Typical equipment | Jetters, eels, CCTV cameras | Pipe tools, fixtures, compliance gear |
| Can do restricted work? | Only if also PGDB licensed | Yes |
| Typical call-out speed | Often same-day | Varies |
| Relative cost | Often lower for simple blockages | Higher for complex or compliance work |
Does a Drain Cleaner Need to Be Licensed?
This is where it gets important. In New Zealand, drainlaying is restricted work under the PGDB. If a drain cleaner is simply clearing a blockage using a jetter or electric eel — without cutting into or altering the pipe itself — they may not need a PGDB licence for that specific task. However, if any work involves physically altering, repairing, or laying drainage pipes, that person must hold the appropriate PGDB licence.
Always ask your drain cleaner whether they hold a PGDB licence if there's any chance the work goes beyond simple unblocking. You can verify a tradesperson's licence on the PGDB website.
When Should You Call a Drain Cleaner?
A drain cleaner is usually your best first call when:
- A single drain is slow or completely blocked
- Your toilet is backing up but the rest of the house seems fine
- You want a CCTV inspection to find out why drains keep blocking
- You need tree roots cleared from an outdoor drain
- You want a routine drain flush or maintenance jetting
When Should You Call a Plumber?
Call a licensed plumber when:
- Multiple drains or fixtures are backing up (could indicate a main drain or sewer issue)
- You need a pipe repaired, replaced, or rerouted
- A new fixture (toilet, basin, sink) needs to be installed or connected
- Your hot water system needs work
- You're renovating and need compliance sign-off — check whether a building consent is required with your local council, as some plumbing work falls under Schedule 1 exemptions but others do not
- MBIE Building Performance guidance applies to your project
What Can a Homeowner Do Themselves?
As a homeowner, you can legally use chemical drain cleaners (available at Bunnings or Mitre 10) or a basic hand-operated drain snake for minor blockages. However, chemical cleaners can damage older pipes and are harmful to the environment — use them sparingly and follow label instructions carefully.
You must not carry out any restricted plumbing or drainlaying work yourself. Doing so is illegal and could void your home insurance.
When to Call a Professional
If a plunger and basic drain cleaner haven't solved the problem within a day or two, it's time to call in a professional. Persistent blockages, gurgling sounds from multiple drains, sewage smells, or water backing up into other fixtures are all signs of a more serious issue that needs expert attention. For anything beyond a simple surface blockage, contact a qualified drain cleaner or licensed plumber — you can find trusted local tradespeople at tradedirectory.co.nz.
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